Snap-hook



A. H.- MOULTON, J r.

SriapHo'ok.

Patented Nov. 23, 1880.

ARTHUR H. MOULTON, JR., OF AKRON, NEW YORK.

SNAP-HOOK.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 234,716, dated November23, 1880,

Application filed March 11, 1880.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, ARTHUR H. MoULToN, J r.,of Akron, in the county of Erie and State of New York, have made certainImprovements in Snap-Hooks, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to snap-hooks for harness and other purposes, theobject of the invention being to get a hook that can be operated withouttouching the spring with the hands-that is, by which the ring, loop,staple, or other device can be caught in the hook by merely pressing itagainst the spring, and also unclasp it by a mere pull or twist of thering; and the invention consists in the con struction of the device, ashereinafter specified.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a vertical elevation of the snap-hook,showing a section of a ring in the hook. Fig. 2 is a perspective view ofthe device, showing the parts complete.

A represents the main part, being a frame made of a single piece ofmalleable iron or other suitable metal, with a loop or ring, a, at theend, in which the strap, &c., of a harness or chain is buckled orotherwise fastened. From this pointit is bent down at a slight slant fora space of about two and one-half inches, (more or less,) and then bentup sharply and over into a hook, I).

For lightness the main part A is made open into a frame and unites inthe hooking-point b. This extreme point is notbent inward or downward,but projects forward over and in a line with the main part A, as shown.At the base of the loop a is securely fastened, at 0, a metal tongue orsnap-spring, d, which projects forward and slightly upward until itmeets the point of the hook I), when it is bent down at a slant, asshown at d, with the end (1 projecting into or through the part A,either in a slot therefor or an opening in the frame (Model) A. Thisspring is made sufficiently stifi to always retain its position againstthe end of the hook at a, and leaving a space, 0, between the inside ofthe hook and the end 01 of the spring to hold the ring B or other devicetherein, and at the same time prevent any back working of the ring,except when desired to release it from the snap-hook.

It is operated as follows: The snap-hook is' not necessarily handled atall. The ring is held in the hand and pressed-either downright on thespring cl, or else against the side or edge of the spring at d, whichforces the spring down sufliciently to catch the ring in the hook, thesnap springing hack instantaneously. To withdraw it the ring is given aslight twist against the spring and pulled a little, which releases itat once.

Of course the spring can be operated, it on the end of a hitching strapor chain, by pressing down the spring with the thumb; but it is intendedto operate without the touching of the spring at all. Its simplicity andcheapness are apparent, it cannot easily be broken, and the spring hasno partor parts to become lost, disarranged, or destroyed, and itsworking is always sure and safe.

I claim- In a snap-hook, the combination of the frame A, having anopening or slot in its back, with the spring d, bent to pass throughsaid slot and bear against the point of the frame, where by a space, 6,is provided between the spring and the curved top of the frame,substantially as set forth.

In witness whereof I have hereunto signed my name in the presence of twosubscribing witnesses.

ARTHUR H. MOULTON, JR.

Witnesses:

J. R. DRAKE, T. H. PARSONS.

